Write/read head supporting mechanism, and write/read system

ABSTRACT

An object of the invention is to provide a write/read head supporting mechanism for a magnetic disk system or optical disk system having an actuator for effecting a micro-displacement of a slider, wherein any electrostatic breakdown of an electromagnetic transducer element or an optical module is prevented without detriment to the displacement capability of the actuator. The write/read head supporting mechanism of the invention comprises a slider  2  provided with an electromagnetic transducer element or an optical module, and a suspension  3.  The slider  2  is supported on the suspension  3  by way of an actuator  4  for displacing the slider  2.  A ground region that the suspension  3  has is electrically connected to the slider  2  by way of an electrical connecting member  8  movable and/or deformable in the displacement direction of the slider  2  by the actuator  4.

ART FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a write/read head supportingmechanism for write/read systems such as hard disk drives (hereinafterHDDs for short) or optical disk drives, and a write/read systemcomprising such a write/read head supporting mechanism.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A prior art magnetic head supporting mechanism used with HDDs isgenerally built up of a slider having an electromagnetic transducerelement, a suspension for supporting the slider, and an interconnectingpattern connected to the electromagnetic transducer element.

[0003] The electromagnetic transducer element comprises a magnetic poleand coil for converting electric signals to magnetic signals, and viceversa, a magnetoresistance effect element for transforming magneticsignals to voltage signals, and so on, each being fabricated bythin-film techniques, assembly techniques, etc. The slider is formed ofnonmagnetic ceramics such as Al₂O₃—TiC or CaTiO₃ or a magnetic materialsuch as ferrite, and has a generally cuboidal shape. The surface (airbearing surface) of the slider opposite to a disk medium is configuredinto a shape suitable for generating pressure to fly the slider over thedisk medium at a small spacing. The suspension for supporting the slideris formed by bending, punching or otherwise processing a resilientstainless sheet.

[0004] When the slider is used in actual applications, staticelectricity is generated at the slider. This static electricity isgenerated due to a sliding movement between the flying surface of theslider and the surface of a disk medium at contact start stop (CSS),contact of the flying surface of the slider with the surface of the diskmedium which is caused by a very small amount of flying of the sliderwith respect to the surface of the disk medium rotating at high speed,friction between the slider and the air, etc.

[0005] Static electricity, when generated at the slider, often givesrise to an electrostatic breakdown of the electromagnetic transducerelement. To avoid this, most magnetic heads have sliders connected to aground (e.g., JPA's 2-61810, 2-244419 and 8-111015). The aforesaid JP-A261810 discloses a thin-film magnetic head wherein a conductorelectrically connected to a magnetic core mounted on a slider is bondedto a gimbal part of a suspension at an earth potential by means of anelectrically conductive adhesive agent. The aforesaid JP-A 2-244419discloses that the side of a slider and a suspension are bonded togetherby means of an electrically conductive adhesive agent. The aforesaidJP-A 8-111015 discloses a magnetic head system wherein a groundelectrode is mounted on a flexible wiring substrate provided on asuspension, and then electrically connected to a slider.

[0006] On the other hand, an HDD is increasingly required to bedownsized with ever-higher recording density and, hence, haveever-higher track density and ever-narrower track width. To improvetracking precision in a high-density recording HDD, it is effective toprovide the magnetic head with an actuator for effecting amicro-displacement of the electromagnetic transducer element or sliderwith respect to the suspension. Such an actuator, for instance, isdisclosed in JP-A's 6-259905, 6-309822 and 8-180623.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In a magnetic head having an actuator, a slider is displacedrelatively to a suspension when the slider is driven by the actuator.There is thus a possibility that an electrical wire connecting thesuspension side to the slider side may be detrimental to thisdisplacement.

[0008] However, the aforesaid publications, each disclosing theprovision of an actuator, say nothing about the connection of the sliderto a ground. Accordingly or as a matter of course, the publicationsdisclose nothing about the means for connecting the slider to a groundwithout detriment to the displacement capability of the actuator when itis provided.

[0009] An object of the invention is to provide a write/read headsupporting mechanism for a magnetic disk system or optical disk systemhaving an actuator for effecting a micro-displacement of anelectromagnetic transducer element or slider, wherein any electrostaticbreakdown of the electromagnetic transducer element or optical module isprevented without detriment to the displacement capability of theactuator.

[0010] Such an object is achievable by the following constructions.

[0011] (1) A write/read head supporting mechanism comprising a sliderprovided with an electromagnetic transducer element or an opticalmodule, and a suspension, wherein said slider is supported on saidsuspension by way of an actuator for displacing said slider, and

[0012] a ground region that said suspension has is electricallyconnected to said slider by means of an electrical connecting memberthat is movable and/or deformable in a displacement direction of saidslider by said actuator.

[0013] (2) The write/read head supporting mechanism according to (1)above, wherein said suspension is made up of an electrically conductivematerial, and said suspension itself is utilized as said ground region.

[0014] (3) The write/read head supporting mechanism according to (1)above, wherein said suspension is provided on a surface thereof with agrounding electrode as said ground region.

[0015] (4) A write/read head supporting mechanism comprising a sliderprovided with an electromagnetic transducer element or an opticalmodule, and a suspension, wherein said slider is supported on saidsuspension by way of an actuator for displacing said slider, and

[0016] at least a part of said actuator is provided with an electricallyconductive region, by way of which a ground region that said suspensionhas is electrically connected to said slider.

[0017] (5) The write/read head supporting mechanism according to (4)above, wherein a ground electrode used to drive said actuator isutilized as said electrically conductive region.

[0018] (6) A write/read head supporting mechanism comprising a sliderprovided with an electromagnetic transducer element or an opticalmodule, and a suspension, wherein said slider is supported on saidsuspension by way of an actuator for displacing said slider, and whichcomprises an interconnecting pattern including a wire for electricalconnection to said electromagnetic transducer element or said opticalmodule and a grounding wire for electrical connection to said slider,said interconnecting pattern comprising a close-contact wire in closecontact with said suspension and a floating wire that extends away fromsaid suspension to said slider and is movable and/or deformable in adisplacement direction of said slider by said actuator.

[0019] (7) A write/read head supporting mechanism comprising a sliderprovided with an electromagnetic transducer element or an opticalmodule, and a suspension, wherein said slider is supported on saidsuspension by way of an actuator for displacing said slider,

[0020] a leading end portion of said suspension comprises a flexibleregion that is curved or bent toward a slider side and movable and/ordeformable in a displacement direction of said slider by said actuator,and

[0021] an interconnecting pattern is in close contact with a surface ofsaid flexible region, said interconnecting pattern comprising a wire forelectrical connection to said electromagnetic transducer element or saidoptical module and a grounding wire for electrical connection to saidslider.

[0022] (8) The write/read head supporting mechanism according to (6) or(7) above, wherein said suspension is made up of an electricallyconductive material, and said grounding wire led out of saidinterconnecting pattern is electrically connected to said suspension.

[0023] (9) A write/read system comprising a write/read head supportingmechanism as recited in any one of (1) to (8) above.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a side view illustrative of one exemplary arrangement ofthe magnetic head according to the first aspect of the invention,wherein the slider is mounted on the suspension by way of the actuator.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrative of another exemplaryarrangement of the magnetic head according to the first aspect, whereinthe slider is mounted on the surface of the suspension opposite to themedium by way of the actuator.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a side view illustrative of yet another exemplaryarrangement of the magnetic head according to the first aspect, whereinthe slider is mounted on the suspension by way of the actuator.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a side view illustrative of one exemplary arrangement ofthe magnetic head according to the second aspect of the invention,wherein the slider is mounted on the suspension by way of the actuator.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a side view illustrative of another exemplaryarrangement of the magnetic head according to the second aspect, whereinthe slider is mounted on the suspension by way of the actuator.

[0029]FIG. 6 is a side view illustrative of yet another exemplaryarrangement of the magnetic head according to the second aspect, whereinthe slider is mounted on the suspension by way of the actuator.

[0030]FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrative of one exemplary arrangement ofthe magnetic head according to the third aspect of the invention,wherein the slider is mounted on the surface of the suspension oppositeto the medium by way of the actuator.

[0031]FIG. 8 is a plane view illustrative of another exemplaryarrangement of the magnetic head according to the third aspect, whereinthe slider is mounted on the surface of the suspension opposite to themedium by way of the actuator.

[0032]FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrative of yet another exemplaryarrangement of the magnetic head according to the third aspect, whereinthe slider is mounted on the surface of the suspension opposite to themedium by way of the actuator.

[0033]FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrative of a further exemplaryarrangement of the magnetic head according to the third aspect, whereinthe slider is mounted on the surface of the suspension opposite to themedium by way of the actuator.

[0034]FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrative of oneexemplary arrangement of the magnetic head supporting mechanism.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0035] The write/read head supporting mechanism according to theinvention comprises a slider provided with an electromagnetic transducerelement or an optical module, and a suspension on which the slider ismounted while an actuator for displacing the slider is located betweenthem. The present invention will now be explained with reference to amagnetic head with an electromagnetic transducer element mounted on aslider.

[0036] First of all, typical constructions of the suspension, actuatorand slider are explained.

[0037]FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of one exemplaryarrangement of the magnetic head supporting mechanism including anactuator. This magnetic head supporting mechanism is built up of aslider 2 provided with an electromagnetic transducer element 1 and asuspension 3 for supporting the slider 2, with an actuator 4 locatedbetween the slider. 2 and the suspension 3.

[0038] The actuator 4 is provided to effect a micro-displacement of theslider 2 with respect to the suspension 3, and is fixed as by bonding toa gimbal block 3 a located at an end portion of the suspension 3. Thegimbal block 3 a is formed by providing grooves in the suspension memberby etching, punching or the like for the purpose of allowing the sliderto follow a disk medium surface. It is here noted that the magnetic headis provided with a main actuator (a VCM or the like) for driving thewhole of the suspension.

[0039] The actuator 4 comprises a fixed part 43 and a movable part 44,and further includes two rod-like displacement generating means 41 and41. Each or the displacement generating means 41 is provided with atleast one piezoelectric or electrostrictive material layer havingelectrode layers on both sides, and constructed such that it elongatesand contracts upon the application of voltage on the electrode layers.The piezoelectric or electrostrictive material layer is formed of apiezoelectric or electrostrictive material that elongates and contractsby inverse piezoelectric effect or electrostrictive effect. One end ofthe displacement generating means 41 is coupled to the suspension viathe fixed part 43, and the other end of the displacement generatingmeans 41 is coupled to the slider via the movable part 44. Upon theelongation and contraction of the displacement generating means 41, theslider is so displaced that the electromagnetic transducer element isdisplaced circularly. This in turn causes the electromagnetic transducerelement to cross over recording tracks on a disk medium.

[0040] When the piezoelectric or electrostrictive material layersandwiched between the electrode layers in the displacement generatingmeans 41 of the actuator 4 is constructed of a so-called piezoelectricmaterial such as PZT, the piezoelectric or electrostrictive materiallayer is usually subjected to a polarizing treatment so as to improveits displacement capability. The direction of polarization by thispolarization treatment is a thickness-wise direction of the actuator.When the direction of an electric field upon the application of voltageon the electrode layers is in alignment with the direction ofpolarization, the piezoelectric or electrostrictive material layerbetween both electrode layers elongates in its thickness-wise direction(piezoelectric longitudinal effect), and contracts in its planedirection (piezoelectric transverse effect). When the direction of theelectric field is reverse to the direction of polarization, on the otherhand, the piezoelectric or electrostrictive material layer contracts inits thickness-wise direction (piezoelectric longitudinal effect), andelongates in its plane direction (piezoelectric transverse effect). Whencontraction-inducing voltage is applied alternately on one displacementgenerating means and another displacement generating means, the lengthratio between one displacement generating means and another displacementgenerating means changes so that both displacement generating meansdeflect in the same direction in the plane of the actuator. By thisdeflection, the movable part 44 rolls and pitches with respect to thefixed part 43 in a direction indicated by arrows in FIG. 11, with thecenter of the roll-and-pitch motion defined by the position of themovable part 44 in the absence of voltage. This roll-and-pitch motionallows the movable part 44 to displace circularly in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the direction of elongation andcontraction of the displacement generating means 41, with the directionof the roll-and-pitch motion lying within the plane of the actuator.Thus, the electromagnetic transducer element, too, rolls and pitches ina circular orbit. At this time, there is no fear of attenuation ofpolarization because the direction of voltage is in alignment with thatof polarization. It is noted that even when both the displacementgenerating means are elongated by voltage applied alternately thereon,similar roll-and-pitch motion occurs.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, voltages may be simultaneouslyapplied on both displacement generating means in such a manner thattheir displacements are reverse to each other. In other words,alternating voltages may be simultaneously applied on both thedisplacement generating means in such a manner that one elongates whileanother contracts, and vice versa. At this time, the center of theroll-and-pitch motion of the movable part 44 is defined by the positionof the movable part 44 in the absence of voltage. Assuming here that thesame driving voltage is used, the amplitude of the roll-and-pitch motionis about twice as large as that in the case of the alternate applicationof voltage. On one side of the roll-and-pitch motion in this case,however, the displacement generating means is so elongated that thedirection of the driving voltage is reverse to the direction ofpolarization. For this reason, the polarization of the piezoelectric orelectrostrictive material layer may possibly attenuate at a high appliedvoltage or upon the continued application of voltage. It is thusrequired that the driving voltage be obtained by applying a constantdirect current bias voltage in the same direction as that ofpolarization and superposing the aforesaid alternating voltage on thebias voltage, thereby foreclosing the possibility that the direction ofdriving voltage may be reverse to the direction of polarization. Thecenter of the roll-and-pitch motion in this case is defined by theposition of the displacement generating means with the bias voltagealone applied thereon.

[0042] The illustrated actuator has a structure in which thedisplacement generating means 41, and fixed and movable parts 43 and 44are formed as an integrated single piece by holing and notching asheet-like member of piezoelectric or electrostrictive material withelectrode layers formed at given sites. It is thus possible to increasethe rigidity and dimensional accuracy of the actuator, with no fear ofassembly errors. In addition, since any adhesive is not used foractuator fabrication, it is highly unlikely that any adhesive layer isdeposited at the position of the actuator where stresses are induced bythe deformation of the displacement generating means. Stated otherwise,problems such as transmission losses due to the adhesive layer andchanges-with-time of adhesion strength are absolutely unlikely to comeup.

[0043] By the “piezoelectric or electrostrictive material” used hereinis meant a material capable of elongating or contracting due to theinverse piezoelectric effect or electrostrictive effect. Any desiredpiezoelectric or electrostrictive material may be used provided that itcan be applied to the displacement generating means of the actuator. Byreason of high rigidity, however, it is usually preferable to useceramic piezoelectric or electrostrictive materials such as PZT [Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃], PT (PbTiO₃), PLZT [(Pb, La)(Zr, Ti)O₃], and barium titanate(BaTiO₃). The actuator, when it is made up of ceramic piezoelectric orelectrostrictive materials, may easily be fabricated using thick-filmtechniques such as a sheetmaking or printing process. It is noted thatthe actuator may also be fabricated by thin-film techniques. Thepiezoelectric or electrostrictive material, when it has acrystallographic structure, may be of either a polycrystalline structureor a monocrystalline structure.

[0044] No special limitation is imposed on how to form the electrodelayers; an appropriate selection may be made from various processes suchas printing, firing, sputtering, and evaporation of conductive pastewhile how to form the piezoelectric or electrostrictive material layeris taken into account.

[0045] An actuator may have any structure in which at least onepiezoelectric or electrostrictive material layer, having electrodelayers on both sides, exists at the displacement generating means.However, it is preferable to use a multilayer structure wherein two ormore such piezoelectric or electrostrictive material layers are stackedone upon another. The amount of elongation and contraction of thepiezoelectric or electrostrictive material layer is proportional toelectric field intensity. However, the aforesaid multilayer structuremakes it possible to make the piezoelectric or electrostrictive materiallayer so thin that the required electric field intensity can be obtainedat a low voltage, and so the driving voltage can be lowered. At the samedriving voltage as that used with a single layer structure, the amountof elongation and contraction can become much larger. The thickness ofthe piezoelectric or electrostrictive material layer is not critical,and so may be determined depending on various conditions such as drivingvoltage, the required amount of elongation and contraction, and ease offabrication. However, a thickness of about 5 μm to about 50 μm isusually preferred in the practice of the invention. Similarly, the upperlimit to the number of piezoelectric or electrostrictive material layersstacked one upon another is not critical, and so may be determined insuch a manner that displacement generating means having a desiredthickness are obtainable. It is noted that a covering piezoelectric orelectrostrictive material layer is usually provided on the outermostelectrode layer.

[0046] The slider 2 is constructed of ceramics having a relatively lowelectric resistance, e.g., Al₂O₃—TiC or Mn—Zn ferrite. The slider 2 isprovided on one side with a magnetic core or coil by way of aninsulating layer to form the electromagnetic transducer element 1.

[0047] Although not illustrated, the suspension 3 is provided on itssurface with an interconnecting pattern for driving the actuator 4 andan interconnecting pattern to be connected to the electromagnetictransducer element 1 as occasion may be. The suspension 3 may also beprovided on its surface with a head driving IC chip (a read/write IC).If a signal processing IC is mounted on the suspension, it is thenpossible to reduce the length of the interconnecting pattern from theelectromagnetic transducer element to the signal processing IC, so thatthe signal frequency can be made high due to a decrease in inducingcomponents.

[0048] While the present invention is suitable for cases where theactuator of the integral structure shown in FIG. 11 is used, it isunderstood that the present invention may also be used for cases wherevarious actuators having assembly structures employing piezoelectricelements, and actuators making use of electrostatic force, andelectromagnetic force are used.

[0049] The suspension 3 is generally formed of a resilient metalmaterial such as stainless steel; however, it is acceptable to constructthe suspension 3 of an insulating material such as resins. For theinterconnecting pattern, on the other hand, a part thereof has a generalstructure wherein a resin-coated conductor wire is brought in closecontact with the surface of the suspension. No special limitation isimposed on how to form the interconnecting pattern having such astructure; however, it is preferable to make use of a process wherein aninsulating resin film is formed on the surface of the suspension 3 and aconductor wire is formed on the resin film followed by forming anotherresin film thereon as a protective film, and a process wherein aninterconnecting film (a flexible wiring substrate) having a multilayerstructure comprising such a resin film and a conductor wire is bonded tothe suspension 3.

[0050] In the magnetic head supporting mechanism constructed asexplained above according to the present invention, the slider isgrounded so as to prevent an electrostatic breakdown of theelectromagnetic transducer element. How the slider is grounded accordingto the present invention is now explained specifically.

[0051] According to the first aspect of the invention, a ground regionof the suspension is electrically connected to the slider by way of anelectrical connecting member movable and/or deformable in thedisplacement direction of the slider by the actuator.

[0052] One exemplary arrangement of the first aspect of the invention isshown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a side view illustrative of a slider 2attached to a suspension 3 by way of an actuator 4. Adhesive agents 7 aare used to bond a fixed part 43 of the actuator 4 to the suspension 3and a movable part 44 of the actuator 4 to the slider 2. The suspension3 is made up of an electrically conductive material such as a metal, andkept at a ground potential. Thus, the suspension 3 itself provides theaforesaid ground region. The slider 2 and suspension 3 are electricallyconnected together by means of a highly flexible lead 8, so that staticelectricity generated at the slider 2 can flow to the suspension 3through the lead 8. It is here noted that the lead 8 is bonded to theslider 2 and suspension 3, using electrically conductive adhesive agents7 b and 7 b, respectively.

[0053] Another exemplary arrangement of the first aspect of theinvention is shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a slider 2attached to a suspension 3 by way of an actuator 4, as viewed from theside of the suspension 3 opposite to a medium. As depicted in FIG. 2,the suspension 3 is provided on its surface with a grounding wire 90,one end of which is connected with a grounding electrode 91 defining theaforesaid ground region. The other end of the grounding wire 90 isconnected to an electrical conductor at a ground potential (an HDDpackage or the like). The grounding electrode 91 and slider 2 areelectrically connected together by means of a highly flexible lead 8;that is, the slider 2 is grounded. It is here noted that the lead 8 isbonded to the slider 2 and grounding electrode 91, using electricallyconductive adhesive agents 7 b and 7 b, respectively. In FIG. 2,reference numeral 52 stands for an actuator driving wire assemblycomprising two signal wires and one grounding wire and located in closecontact with the surface of the suspension 3. Reference numeral 51represents signal wires for electrical connection to an electromagnetictransducer element. The signal wires extend from the back side of thesuspension 3, and are turned back around the leading end of thesuspension 3, terminating at connections to a terminal electrode groupin the electromagnetic transducer element provided on the slider 2.

[0054] According to the arrangements of FIGS. 1 and 2 where the lead 8used is of high flexibility, the actuator 4 can be undisturbedlydisplaced upon the slider 2 grounded. In addition, the site of the lead8 to be bonded to the slide 2 can be relatively freely selected.According to the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the slider 2 can begrounded even when the suspension 3 is made up of an insulatingmaterial.

[0055]FIG. 3 is illustrative of yet another arrangement of the firstaspect of the invention. In FIG. 1, the actuator 4 is located on theback surface of the slider 2, i.e., the surface of the slider 2 oppositeto the suspension 3. In FIG. 3, however, the actuator 4 is located onthe side of the slider 2 so as to keep low the whole height of thearrangement. Otherwise, the arrangement of FIG. 3 is the same as that ofFIG. 1. In all aspects encompassed in the present invention inclusive ofthe first aspect, the slider is positioned with respect to the actuatoras shown in either one of FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0056] According to the second aspect of the invention, at least a partof the actuator is provided with an electrically conductive region, byway of which the ground region of the suspension is electricallyconnected to the slider.

[0057] One exemplary arrangement of the second aspect of the inventionis shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a side view illustrative of a slider 2attached to a suspension 3 by way of an actuator 4. The suspension 3 ismade up of an electrically conductive material such as a metal, and keptat a ground potential. The actuator is provided on its surface with agrounding conductor 9 in the form of the aforesaid conductive region insuch a way that a fixed part 43 is connected to a movable part 44. Usingelectrically conductive adhesive agents 7 b and 7 b, respectively, thefixed part 43 of the actuator 4 is bonded to the suspension 3 and themovable part 44 of the actuator 4 is bonded to the slider 2. Theseadhesive agents 7 b and 7 b cover one end and the other end of theaforesaid grounding conductor 9. Thus, the slider 2 is grounded.

[0058] Although depending on the type of the actuator used, it is notedthat the whole or a surface portion of the actuator may be made up of anelectrically conductive material. In this case, the whole or surfaceportion of the actuator may be utilized as the aforesaid conductiveregion to connect the slider to a ground.

[0059] Another exemplary arrangement of the second aspect of theinvention is shown in FIG. 5. An actuator 4 shown in FIG. 5 is such amultilayer piezoelectric actuator as mentioned above. As alreadyexplained, the multilayer piezoelectric actuator has a structure whereina piezoelectric or electrostrictive material layer is sandwiched betweena pair of electrode layers. In the arrangement of FIG. 5, a groundelectrode (a grounding conductor 9 shown in FIG. 5) that is one of thepair of electrode layers is utilized as the aforesaid conductive regionto connect a slider 2 to a ground. More illustratively, both ends of thegrounding conductor 9 are bared on the side of the actuator 4. Then,electrically conductive adhesive agents 7 b and 7 b are respectivelyused to connect one end of the conductor 9 electrically to thesuspension 3 and the other end electrically to the slider 2, therebyconnecting the slider 2 to a ground. Otherwise, the arrangement of FIG.5 is the same as that of FIG. 4.

[0060] According to the arrangements shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, theelectrically conductive adhesive agents are used instead of aconventional adhesive agent when the actuator 4 is bonded to thesuspension 3 and slider 2, respectively. When the actuator 4 isfabricated, only the formation or baring of the grounding conductor 9 isneeded to connect the slider 2 to a ground. There is thus no detrimentto the displacement capability of the actuator 4 at all upon the slider2 connected to a ground. In addition, the number of steps needed forconnecting the slider 2 to a ground can be reduced.

[0061] In the arrangements of FIGS. 4 and 5, only the electricallyconductive adhesive agent is utilized. In some cases, however, theelectrically conductive adhesive agent is inferior in adhesion to anordinary adhesive agent. This is because the conductive adhesive agentgenerally comprises an adhesive resin in which an electricallyconductive material such as silver foils or carbon powders is dispersed.If required, it is thus acceptable to use the conductive adhesive agentin combination with such an ordinary adhesive agent.

[0062] Yet another exemplary arrangement of the second aspect of theinvention is shown in FIG. 6. As shown, there is provided aninterconnecting pattern comprising a flexible wiring substrate includinga signal wire for electrical connection to an electromagnetic transducerelement on a slider 2. This interconnecting pattern is constructed of aclose-contact wire 5A in close contact with the surface of a suspension3 and a floating wire 5B extending away from the suspension 3 to theslider 2. It is here noted that an actuator driving wire is not shown.

[0063] The interconnecting pattern comprising close-contact wire 5A andfloating wire 5B is provided by forming the close-contact wirecomprising a flexible wiring substrate on the surface of the suspension3 opposite to a medium and then removing a leading end portion of thesuspension 3, thereby placing a part of the close-contact wire in afloating state. In the illustrated arrangement, a terminal electrodegroup for electrical connection to the electromagnetic transducerelement is previously formed on the leading end portion of thesuspension 3. Then, a part of the leading end portion of the suspension3 is removed in such a way that the vicinity of the terminal electrodegroup is left as a terminal electrode sheet 32. Subsequently, thefloating wire 5B is curved or bent toward the side of the slider 2 sothat one surface of the terminal electrode sheet 32 is bonded to theslider 2 and the other surface is bonded to the actuator 4 while theaforesaid terminal electrode sheet is connected to a terminal electrodegroup on the slider 2. Removal of a part of the suspension 3, forinstance, may be achieved by punching or wet etching.

[0064] The arrangement of FIG. 6 is similar to that of FIG. 5 in thatthe grounding conductor 9 of the actuator 4 is utilized as the aforesaidconductive region to connect the slider 2 to a ground. On the side ofthe movable part 44 of the actuator 4 in the arrangement of FIG. 6,however, the grounding conductor 9 is connected to one surface of theterminal electrode sheet 32 by means of an electrically conductiveadhesive agent 7 b, and the slider 2 is connected to the other surfaceof the terminal electrode sheet 32 by means of an electricallyconductive adhesive agent 7 b. The terminal electrode sheet 32 is formedof the same conductive material as that of the suspension 3, so that theslider 2 can be electrically connected to the suspension 3.

[0065] In the arrangements of FIGS. 5 and 6, the conductive suspension 3and grounding conductor 9 are connected together by means of theconductive adhesive agents 7 b and 7 b, so that the slider 2 can beconnected to a ground by way of them. Alternatively, the groundingconductor 9 may be connected with a grounding wire which is in turnextended to the side of the suspension 3. For instance, actuator drivingwires 52 including a grounding wire may be used as shown in FIG. 2. Inthis case, the grounding wire may be connected to either the conductivesuspension 3 or an electrical conductor at a ground potential (an HDDpackage, etc.). In the former case, a grounding wire drawn out ofsomewhere in the interconnecting pattern may be connected to thesuspension 3, as is the case with a grounding wire 90 of FIG. 10. In thelatter case, the suspension 3 is not necessarily an electricalconductor. If the grounding wire is utilized, it is thus possible tominimize modifications to the fabrication step for connecting the slider2 to a ground. In addition, since the bonding of the actuator 4 to thesuspension 3 can be carried out using an ordinary adhesive agent, it ispossible to make adhesion strength higher than achieved with anelectrically conductive adhesive agent.

[0066] The magnetic head according to the third aspect of the inventioncomprises an interconnecting pattern including a wire for electricalconnection to an electromagnetic transducer element and a grounding wirefor electrical connection to a slider. This interconnecting patterncomprises a close-contact wire in close contact with the suspension anda floating wire extending away from the suspension to the slider. Theclose-contact wire is movable and/or deformable in the displacementdirection of the slider by the actuator.

[0067] One exemplary arrangement of the third aspect of the invention isshown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a slider 2 attached to asuspension 3 by way of an actuator 4, as viewed from the side of thesuspension 3 opposite to a medium.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 7, there is provided an interconnecting patterncomprising a flexible wiring substrate 51 including a signal wire forelectrical connection to an electromagnetic transducer element on aslider 2. This interconnecting pattern is constructed of a close-contactwire 5A in close contact with the surface of a suspension 3 and afloating wire 5B extending away from the suspension 3 to at the slider2. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 52 indicates an actuator driving wirelocated in close contact with the surface of the suspension 3.

[0069] The interconnecting pattern comprising close-contact wire 5A andfloating wire 5B is provided by forming the close-contact wirecomprising a flexible wiring substrate on the surface of the suspension3 opposite to a medium and then removing a leading end portion of thesuspension 3, thereby placing a part of the close-contact wire in afloating state. In the illustrated arrangement, a terminal electrodegroup 94 comprising four terminal electrodes is previously formed on theleading end portion of the flexible wiring substrate. Then, a part ofthe leading end portion of the suspension 3 is removed in such a waythat the vicinity of the terminal electrode group 94 is left as aterminal electrode sheet 32. Subsequently, the floating wire 5B iscurved or bent toward the side of the slider 2 so that the terminalelectrode sheet 32 is bonded to the back surface of the slider 2 and theterminal electrode group 94 is connected to a terminal electrode groupon the slider 2. It is noted, however, that it is not an essentialrequirement to form the terminal electrode sheet 32; that is, it isacceptable to connect the floating wire 5B directly to the terminalelectrode group on the slider 2. Removal of a part of the suspension 3,for instance, may be achieved by punching or wet etching.

[0070] In FIG. 7, the floating wire 5B is formed in such a way that itis connectable to the terminal electrode group on the slider 2, andmovable and/or deformable in the displacement direction of the slider 2by the actuator 4 while placed in the thus connected state. Accordingly,the floating wire 5B is unlikely to provide any impediment to thedisplacement capability of the actuator 4.

[0071] The interconnecting pattern comprising close-contact wire 5A andfloating wire 5B includes a grounding wire 90 in addition to the signalwire 51 for electrical connection to the electromagnetic transducerelement. The grounding wire 90 is connected at one end to a groundingelectrode 91 in juxtaposition with the terminal electrode group 94formed on the floating wire 5B and at the other end to an electricalconductor at a ground potential (an HDD package, etc.). The groundingelectrode 91 is electrically connected to the slider 2 by means of anelectrically conductive adhesive agent, a gold ball or the like; thatis, the slider 2 can be connected to a ground.

[0072] In the arrangement of FIG. 7, the grounding electrode 91 on thefloating wire SB is electrically connected to the surface of the slider2 on which the electromagnetic transducer element is formed. When alow-resistance ceramic material such as Al₂O₃—TiC is not exposed on thatsurface, however, it may be connected to the side of the slider 2 onwhich the low-resistance ceramic material is exposed by altering theposition of the grounding electrode 91 as shown in FIG. 8. If thegrounding electrode 91 on the floating wire 5B is connected to theslider 2 by way of a lead 8 as shown in FIG. 9, it is then possible toselect the site for connection to the slider in a relatively freemanner.

[0073] According to the third aspect of the invention, a flexible wirelike the aforesaid floating wire 5B is used to connect the slider 2 to aground, and so the displacement capability of the actuator 4 is hardlyimpaired upon the slider 2 connected to a ground. When the slider 2 isconnected to a ground, it is not necessary to alter the structure of theactuator 4. As compared with other aspects, this aspect can be carriedout with a more reduced number of steps and so is best suited forautomation.

[0074] Another exemplary arrangement of the third aspect of theinvention is shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, a grounding wire 90led out of a close-contact wire 5A is fixed at its end to a suspension 3by means of an electrically conductive adhesive agent 7 b. In thisarrangement, the suspension 3 is made up of an electrically conductivematerial. Otherwise, the arrangement of FIG. 10 is the same as that ofFIG. 8.

[0075] According to yet another arrangement of the third aspect of theinvention, the close-contact wire 5A may be formed on the surface of thesuspension 3 facing away from the medium. The floating wire 5Bcontiguous to this close-contact wire 5A is then allowed to go over thesuspension 3 and terminate at the slider 2.

[0076] In the magnetic head according to the fourth aspect of theinvention, a leading end portion of a suspension is curved or benttoward the side of the slider and has a flexible region that is movableand/or deformable in the displacement direction of a slider by anactuator. An interconnecting pattern located in close contact with thesurface of the flexible region includes a wire for electrical connectionto an electromagnetic transducer element and a grounding wire forelectrical connection to the slider.

[0077] The magnetic head according to the fourth aspect of the inventionmay be fabricated by a process similar to that for the magnetic headaccording to the third aspect of the invention. Referring back to FIG. 7illustrative of the third aspect of the invention, the terminalelectrode sheet 32 is completely separate from the suspension 3. Whenthe magnetic head according to the fourth aspect is fabricated, however,it is acceptable to bring the terminal electrode sheet 32 in partialcontact with the suspension 3, thereby allowing the aforesaidinterconnecting pattern to come in close contact with that area ofpartial contact. Then, the leading end portion of the suspension iscurved or bent in such a way that the terminal electrode sheet goes overan actuator 4 and reaches a slider 2, as in the case of the terminalelectrode sheet 32 shown in FIG. 7. For this arrangement, it is requiredthat the leading end portion of the suspension be of rigidity low enoughto be curved or bent as mentioned above and be movable and/or deformablein the displacement direction of the slider by the actuator. Theflexible region having such low rigidity may be formed by etching bothends of the leading end portion of the suspension after theclose-contact wire is formed as mentioned above. Alternatively, it isacceptable to use a suspension pre-configured to such a shape as havinga leading end portion of reduced rigidity. In the fourth aspect of theinvention, too, it is not an essential requirement to form the terminalelectrode sheet 32 as in the case of the third aspect of the invention.

[0078] While explanation has been made with reference to the HDDmagnetic head out of write/read heads, it is understood that the presentinvention may also be applied to an optical disk system. A conventionaloptical disk system makes use of an optical pickup comprising an opticalmodule including at least a lens. This optical pickup is so designedthat the lens can be mechanically controlled so as to be focused on therecording surface of the optical disk. In recent years, near fieldrecording has been proposed to achieve ever-higher optical diskrecording densities (“NIKKEI ELECTRONICS”, 1997.6.16 (No. 691), page99). This near field recording makes use of a flying head similar tothat for a flying magnetic head. Built in this slider is an opticalmodule comprising a hemispherical lens called a solid immersion lens orSIL, a magnetic field modulation recording coil, and a prefocusing lens.Another flying head for near field recording is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,497,359. With higher recording densities, such a flying head, too,is increasingly required to have higher tracking precision as in thecase of an HDD magnetic head. Thus, the micro-displacement actuator isalso effective for the flying head. Accordingly, the present inventionmay also be applied to such a write/read head (optical head) for opticalrecording media.

[0079] More generally, the optical head to which the present inventioncan be applied comprises a slider similar to that in the aforesaidmagnetic head, with an optical module built therein, or a slider whichis in itself constructed of an optical module. The optical modulecomprises at least a lens, if required, with a lens actuator and amagnetic field generating coil incorporated therein. Such an opticalhead, for instance, includes not only a flying head for near fieldrecording such as one mentioned just above but also an optical headwherein a slider is slidable on the surface of a recording medium, i.e.,a pseudo-contact type or contact type optical head. To have an easyunderstanding of the case where the present invention is applied to theoptical head, the electromagnetic transducer element in the foregoingexplanation should be read as an optical head. It is understood that thepresent invention may be applied to a pseudo-contact type or contacttype magnetic head as well.

[0080] Conceptually, the term “write/read head” used herein shallinclude a write/read head, a write-only head, and a read-only head.Likewise, the term “write/read system” used herein shall include awrite/read system, a write-only system, and a read-only system. The term“recording medium” used herein, too, shall include a read-only typemedium such as a read-only optical disk in addition to a recordablemedium.

Advantages of the Invention

[0081] In the write/read head supporting mechanism of the invention, theslider can be connected to a ground without detriment to thedisplacement capability of the actuator, and so any electrostaticbreakdown of the electromagnetic transducer element or optical modulecan be prevented without sacrificing their positioning precision.

What we claim is:
 1. A write/read head supporting mechanism comprising aslider provided with an electromagnetic transducer element or an opticalmodule, and a suspension, wherein said slider is supported on saidsuspension by way of an actuator for displacing said slider, and aground region that said suspension has is electrically connected to saidslider by means of an electrical connecting member that is movableand/or deformable in a displacement direction of said slider by saidactuator.
 2. The write/read head supporting mechanism according to claim1, wherein said suspension is made up of an electrically conductivematerial, and said suspension itself is utilized as said ground region.3. The write/read head supporting mechanism according to claim 1,wherein said suspension is provided on a surface thereof with agrounding electrode as said ground region.
 4. A write/read headsupporting mechanism comprising a slider provided with anelectromagnetic transducer element or an optical module, and asuspension, wherein said slider is supported on said suspension by wayof an actuator for displacing said slider, and at least a part of saidactuator is provided with an electrically conductive region, by way ofwhich a ground region that said suspension has is electrically connectedto said slider.
 5. The write/read head supporting mechanism according toclaim 4, wherein a ground electrode used to drive said actuator isutilized as said electrically conductive region.
 6. A write/read headsupporting mechanism comprising a slider provided with anelectromagnetic transducer element or an optical module, and asuspension, wherein said slider is supported on said suspension by wayof an actuator for displacing said slider, and which comprises aninterconnecting pattern including a wire for electrical connection tosaid electromagnetic transducer element or said optical module and agrounding wire for electrical connection to said slider, saidinterconnecting pattern comprising a close-contact wire in close contactwith said suspension and a floating wire that extends away from saidsuspension to said slider and is movable and/or deformable in adisplacement direction of said slider by said actuator.
 7. A write/readhead supporting mechanism comprising a slider provided with anelectromagnetic transducer element or an optical module, and asuspension, wherein said slider is supported on said suspension by wayof an actuator for displacing said slider, a leading end portion of saidsuspension comprises a flexible region that is curved or bent toward aslider side and movable and/or deformable in a displacement direction ofsaid slider by said actuator, and an interconnecting pattern is in closecontact with a surface of said flexible region, said interconnectingpattern comprising a wire for electrical connection to saidelectromagnetic transducer element or said optical module and agrounding wire for electrical connection to said slider.
 8. Thewrite/read head supporting mechanism according to claim 6 or 7, whereinsaid suspension is made up of an electrically conductive material, andsaid grounding wire led out of said interconnecting pattern iselectrically connected to said suspension.
 9. A write/read systemcomprising a write/read head supporting mechanism as recited in any oneof claims 1 to 8.